Gravensteins Are Here & More

Gravenstein Apple Time

With peaches, plums and strawberries galore at farmers markets, it’s hard to think about apples already.

But don’t dawdle, as it’s prime time for Gravensteins.

The heirloom apple is beloved for its juiciness, as well as its wonderfully balanced sweet-tart flavor. It’s perfect for turning into apple sauce or pies. But it has a very short growing season, and doesn’t keep long unlike other apple varieties that can last quite awhile in cold storage.

Gravensteins once were the main apple crop in Sebastopol. But as vineyards moved in, orchards soon dwindled.

Slow Food has worked hard to make sure Gravensteins don’t ever disappear.

For the past couple of years, the FruitGuys, a produce delivery service, has partnered with Gravenstein farmers to offer these storied apples — but only through Aug. 24. A box of Gravensteins start at $24, while a box of organic ones start at $40, depending upon your zip code, as they are shipped overnight. Each box is accompanied by a few Gravenstein apple recipes, too, to get you started.

Moreover, the FruitGuys are donating 17 percent of all profits from the apple boxes back to the participating Gravenstein farmers to help ensure these apples never cease to exist.

Sift Cupcake & Dessert Bar to Open in San Francisco

Its first San Francisco location is expected to open Aug. 20 at the corner of Fillmore and California streets in the Pacific Heights neighborhood.

Bay Area native Andrea Ballus was inspired to start her bakery after trying to find pastries for her own Wine Country wedding. Last year, her baking prowess proved victorious when she became the first Bay Area dessert shop to triumph on the Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars.”

10 comments

It’s difficult not to think of my paternal grandfather when I see anything about gravenstein apples. He and my grandmother spent quite a bit of time in the Sebastopol area in their lives and each year went to pick apples so he could make applesauce. He swore they were the best for it. Thanks for the wonderful memories!

I was so sorry that I didn’t find out about these apples while we lived in California.I was reading about them a few months after we moved back to Tennessee. They have such an interesting history and sound so delicious!!

I am always amazed at the varieties and names of apples in different countries. Here is Australia, it’s can be quite a task deciding which ones to use for cooking and different recipes will say different things too.

I am madly madly madly in love with gravenstein apples. Hands down the best apple out there! I wish they were easier to get in LA. So hard to find at farmers markets and grocery stores! That delivery service might be my new ticket to heaven…